Chapter 173: The Reason for Undermining the Aristocratic Families

"His Majesty, why say that?" Chen Yan asked, puzzled.

As he spoke, how did it turn into a grudge between him and the aristocratic families?

Li Shimin said wordlessly, "Why would I utter that? Do you want to hear what you just said?"

"If I recall correctly, you've said the phrase 'undermine the aristocratic families' three times from last month up to now."

"And each time more ruthless than the last."

"If it weren't a deep‑seated blood feud, why would you be so eager, time after time, to find ways to undermine the aristocratic families?"

"Is that so?" Chen Yan forced a smile, thought carefully, and realized Li Shimin seemed indeed correct.

"Good big nephew." Cheng Yaojin's massive hand slapped Chen Yan hard, causing him to stagger and nearly lose his seat.

"You don't actually have a grudge against the aristocratic families, do you?"

"Whether I have a grudge with them or not, aren't we all clear about that?" Chen Yan wrenched Cheng Yaojin's hand apart, saying irritably.

Whether to speak or not, Cheng Yaojin's strength was truly great; Chen Yan even suspected that this slap was revenge against him.

Li Shimin and his wife, as well as Cheng Yaojin, nodded thoughtfully.

Indeed, Chen Yan was raised under their watch.

They knew exactly who held grudges with whom.

Empress Changsun asked in puzzlement, "Then I can't understand: since you have no grudge with the aristocratic families, why do you repeatedly undermine them?"

"Moreover, undermining the aristocratic families brings you no benefit."

"Your Majesty, some matters don't require a benefit to be done," Chen Yan rubbed his shoulders and explained, "The reason I persist in dealing with the aristocratic families, even relish it, is because I am, after all, your and Her Majesty's son‑in‑law."

"When I learned His Majesty wanted to move against the aristocratic families but was helpless, I naturally had to step in."

When these words were spoken, everyone present, except the two children, gave Chen Yan a subtly changed look.

If Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling, or even Wei Zheng said this, they would have no doubts.

But since it came from Chen Yan, a person with no sense of shame, they would never believe it.

Obviously, this guy is seizing the chance to flatter.

Facing everyone's doubtful gazes, Chen Yan felt hurt and complained, "His Majesty, Her Majesty, I speak truly; you must believe me."

"Hehe..." Li Shimin forced a smile, saying, "Do I believe you? You might first ask whether Li Lizhi believes you."

Chen Yan: "......"

He turned his head toward Li Lizhi, only to find her eyes filled with guilt.

Great, now I'm even more hurt.

"Fine, cut the nonsense, go straight to the second point," Li Shimin said.

"Alright, fine then." Chen Yan's expression returned to normal, and he said seriously, "People of different positions naturally view the aristocratic families differently."

"The reason His Majesty wishes to eliminate the aristocratic families is that their reputation is too great; they weigh heavily in the hearts of scholars across the realm, severely affecting... the Imperial Family."

He quickly moved past that, continuing, "Secondly, the aristocratic families' influence over the court is too great, firmly controlling the bureaucracy, causing His Majesty's attempts to implement the Imperial Examination system to have achieved little so far."

"I will not enumerate the subsequent reasons," Chen Yan paused, "but from my perspective, the aristocratic families are like leeches perched on the common people of the realm."

"They grow larger by generations, sucking blood from the people, then sucking even more, maintaining prosperity from start to finish."

"If we wish the people of the realm to enjoy good lives, the aristocratic families are a blocking tiger before us, and must be eliminated."

Leeches......

Everyone present fell into contemplation after hearing this.

Although Chen Yan gave no concrete explanation, they all grasped the general meaning.

Considering the aristocratic families' monopolies and control over various sectors over the years, they naturally understood why they were likened to leeches.

For example, the aristocratic families' monopoly on salt—how much blood they have drained from the people through high‑priced salt, they could not know.

"Your metaphor is indeed very apt," Li Shimin said coldly, "In recent years, the aristocratic families have truly been like leeches clinging to the people of the realm, sucking their blood; moreover, they have taken all the good reputation for themselves, leaving all the bad reputation on my head."

Recalling the second year of Zhen Guan, when a locust plague left the people unable to fill their bellies, he had to lower his pride and seek help from the aristocratic families, only to find they either pretended poverty or flatly said they had none.

At that time, some bad rumors circulated outside, claiming that because he killed his brother and imprisoned his father, he angered Heaven, forcing him to issue a self‑condemnation edict to give the people an explanation.

Li Shimin suspected those rumors were spread by members of the aristocratic families, but he lacked evidence.

"......"

"So, this is why you relish undermining the aristocratic families?" Empress Changsun asked curiously.

"Not entirely," Chen Yan shook his head, "The aristocratic families' businesses span the Tang Dynasty; they monopolize many industries."

"My future trades will only grow larger, and sooner or later I will clash with them."

"To avoid trouble, I have no choice but to strike first."

Several people understood.

It can be estimated that this is Chen Yan's real reason for dealing with the aristocratic families.

However, they all tacitly omitted it, and Li Shimin turned and asked, "Then, according to the virtuous son‑in‑law, how should we use fine salt to deal with the aristocratic families?"

"Isn't that simple?" Chen Yan laughed, "Our salt is far superior to theirs; if we release it onto the market at a very low price, it will inevitably deliver an unprecedented blow to the aristocratic families' salt monopoly."

"As long as our production continues, the Tang Dynasty will no longer have a place for the aristocratic families' salt."

"His Majesty, do you think the aristocratic families would allow this situation to arise?"

No one here is a fool; by the time Chen Yan said this, they already understood.

Li Shimin roared with laughter, "Right, right, the aristocratic families would never permit this to happen."

"But this salt is in my hands; if I sell it, they have no way to compete."

"Unless this salt is not being sold by me."

Empress Changsun nodded, "If this salt is not being sold by His Majesty, then the aristocratic families will certainly locate the salt seller, and either eliminate that person or obtain the salt‑making method from them."

"They absolutely cannot achieve either, so they must resort to buying it with money to maintain their salt monopoly."

This way, we can sell this batch of fine salt at a high price to the aristocratic families and make a profit.

"Her Majesty, you have great insight." Chen Yan promptly offered a compliment, then shifted the topic: "However, we can simply find a few foreign merchants to act as puppets to approach the aristocratic families."

Then we say it's something like Heavenly Mountain Snow Salt, that there's only this batch, not only giving the salt a lofty name but also making it easier for the aristocratic families to believe.

Once they fall into the trap, then His Majesty can begin selling the fine salt.

What a Heavenly Mountain Snow Salt......

Several people's mouths twitched in unison; speaking of ruthlessness, you're the ruthless one.

"........"